The defense attorney for a man accused of murdering a 13-year-girl and shooting another has requested to move the trial to another county.

Attorney James Rasmussen, who represents Kody Austin Lott, filed the motion late Friday afternoon stating "there exists in Wichita County, Texas so great a prejudice against him (Lott) that he cannot receive a trial by an impartial jury."

Rasmussen cites "extensive pretrial publicity by the media ... as well as internet and social media activity and by simple word-of-mouth regarding the defendant and the offense charged."

The motion states that "such publicity has been inflammatory and provocative and generated such hostility toward the defendant and prejudiced the opinions of members of the community to such a degree that it is unlikely a fair and impartial jury could be selected."

Lott is accused of murdering Lauren Landavazo and shooting Makayla Smith on Sept. 2, 2016, as they walked home from McNiel Middle School. He was arrested on Sept. 4, 2016, and indicted two months later.

No plea deal for Kody Austin Lott in murder of Lauren Landavazo, shooting of Makayla Smith. He will be added to the trial docket. pic.twitter.com/XTuz8E6zgZ

With no plea deal in place during his last pretrial hearing on July 7, the case was expected to go to trial by the spring of 2018, but no dates had been set as of Friday afternoon.

According to the motion, Wichita County District Attorney Maureen Shelton was consulted about the change of venue and does not oppose the request.

Mark Barber and Bob Estrada, two defense attorneys who reside in Wichita County, also signed sworn affidavits stating they agreed Lott couldn't receive a fair trial in this county.

"The fact of this prejudice has been revealed to me during conversation with other residents of Wichita County," the affidavits of Barber and Estrada state.

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Kody Austin Lott (right, in red) sits in the 30th District Court on July 7 on charges of murder and aggravated assault in the death of Lauren Landavazo and shooting of Makayla Smith.(Photo: Patrick Johnston/Times Record News)

According to an arrest warrant affidavit, Lott admitted during an interview at the Wichita Falls Police Department that he shot the girls. He said he had seen them walking home and was attracted to Lauren, even though he knew she had a boyfriend, which made him angry.

The affidavit states Lott was upset during the police interview because media had called the shooting “senseless.” He said it was not senseless because he had thought it out and planned it because he had talked to the devil about it.